The beginnings of mummification in ancient Egypt

The beginnings of mummification in ancient Egypt

The oldest human desiccated bodies in Egypt originate from the Predynastic Period. In that period, the bodies of the dead were buried in a contracted position alongside the gifts like votive vessels. Those bodies were naturally mummified – as a consequence of dry desert conditions.

There is little evidence about the very beginnings of the mummification practice. Still, the data available show that mummification was already known at the time of the first dynasties, i.e. at the beginning of the third millennium of the Ancient era.